Latest news with #PennStateUniversity
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How hiring individuals with intellectual disabilities mutually benefits hotels, employees
This story was originally published on Hotel Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Hotel Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Hospitality employers and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities can mutually benefit when hotels employ these workers, according to new research from Penn State University's School of Hospitality Management. According to the research, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities can fill much-needed jobs in hospitality, but hotel employers must offer them adequate support to succeed in their roles. The benefits of hiring individuals with intellectual disabilities go beyond addressing the labor shortage, the researchers found, citing greater workplace diversity, improved loyalty and reduced turnover. Dive Insight: In the report 'Exploring Untapped Workforce Potential of Employees With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in the Hotel Industry: Where To Start,' Penn State researchers Yoko Negoro, Sydney Pons, Thomas Little, Michael Tews, Donna Quadri-Felitti and Phillip Jolly noted that hiring individuals with intellectual disabilities 'offers a solution' to high industry turnover and labor shortages. But for hotels and employees to mutually benefit, employers should consider offering job coaches who provide on-the-job training and support and facilitate communication between staff and supervisors, the researchers found. 'Hiring someone with an intellectual disability is a great first step but supporting them well when they are on the team is just as important,' Jolly said in a statement. 'That can mean adjusting communication approaches, setting up tasks in a clear and consistent way or making sure there is a support system in place. When organizations put thought into these things, it is not just the employee with a disability who benefits — the whole team gets stronger.' Job design is key when hiring individuals with intellectual disabilities and should allow for 'autonomy, meaningful work, and social support from coworkers and supervisors,' according to a release announcing the report. To ensure success, hotel managers should also take advantage of government incentives, facilitate socialization opportunities for employees, tailor their training programs and incorporate inclusion into their recruitment messaging, according to the report. Though the hotel industry labor gap has narrowed since the pandemic, when the industry was down roughly 600,000 jobs, hotels are still short approximately 200,000 workers, American Hotel & Lodging Association President and CEO Rosanna Maietta said at last month's NYU International Hospitality Investment Forum. Increased deportations are also impacting hotel labor, according to hospitality industry experts. Recommended Reading Hospitality union Unite Here names Gwen Mills first woman president Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Gizmodo
2 days ago
- Science
- Gizmodo
Nuclear Winter Would Be Even Worse Than We Thought
Despite happening (thankfully) just once in real life, nuclear warfare has long been a staple element of science fiction. Popular depictions of nuclear conflict—from biographic thrillers like Oppenheimer to imagined disasters like The Day After—reflect the understanding that its consequences would be irreversible and catastrophic to modern society. Unsurprisingly, nuclear warfare and its potential repercussions concern scientists as much as fiction writers. In a recent paper published in Environmental Research Letters, researchers at Pennsylvania State University examined how nuclear war might disrupt food security worldwide, focusing specifically on the global production of corn, the most produced grain crop in the world. In the worst-case scenario, nuclear weapons would wreak havoc on our atmospheric systems, gradually cutting our annual corn production by up to 87%, the study warns. For their simulations, the authors considered 38,572 locations for corn production across six different nuclear war scenarios of increasing severity. The simulations took place under nuclear winter conditions, a hypothetical climate scenario following a large-scale nuclear war. During nuclear winters, black carbon from fires triggered by nuclear detonations would fill up the sky, obstructing sunlight. The resulting drop in global temperatures could last for over a decade—long enough to decimate agricultural systems worldwide, according to the scientists. In addition to black carbon, the authors examined the potential UV-B radiation exposure to plants. The Earth's ozone usually blocks this type of radiation, but this protective layer would be weakened in the wake of nuclear war. As UV-B radiation causes DNA damage and obstructs plant photosynthesis, the researchers modeled how overexposure to this energy source could affect the soil-plant-atmosphere system that drives crop growth. The results were disturbing. First, the 'best-case scenario,' a regional nuclear war, would release enough soot into the atmosphere to reduce annual corn production by 7%—which, to be clear, would severely impact the global food system, study lead author and meteorologist Yuning Shi explained in a press release. A global-scale war, on the other hand, would inject a massive 165 million tons of soot into the atmosphere, curbing global corn production by a whopping 80%. That wasn't all; radiation damage 'would peak in years 8 and 9' following the initial detonation of the bomb, causing an additional 7% decrease in corn yields, according to the paper. 'The blast and fireball of atomic explosions produce nitrogen oxides in the stratosphere,' Shi explained. This, in combination with heat-absorbing soot, injects a fiery cycle into the atmosphere that 'rapidly [destroys] ozone, increasing UV-B radiation levels at the Earth's surface.' Thankfully, these are just simulations. They nevertheless 'force us to realize the fragility of the biosphere—the totality of all living things and how they interact with one another and the environment,' Shi said. What's more, the study acts as an early precursor to a more refined, effective response plan for potential disasters, he added. Hopefully, that disaster won't be nuclear—though it could be something like a volcanic eruption, which obstructs sunlight in a similar way and is something we can better prepare for. For example, the paper recommended preparing 'agricultural resilience kits' containing seeds for crops that can grow under cooler conditions. 'These kits would help sustain food production during the unstable years following a nuclear war, while supply chains and infrastructure recover,' said Armen Kemanian, an environmental systems expert and paper senior author, in the same release. But these kits could easily assist food security in areas affected by severe volcanic activity, he added. Natural disasters are beyond our control, save for the preparatory part. A self-inflicted environmental catastrophe and global-scale famine—that's clearly another story. When it comes to nuclear winter, the 'best approach to preventing its devastating effects is to avoid it,' the scientists wrote.
India.com
4 days ago
- Science
- India.com
What will happen if a nuclear war breaks out? Chilling findings from study reveals...
While the world is still grappling with the threat of nuclear war, a new study has raised new alarm bells. The study indicated that even a small nuclear war could be a dangerous threat to humanity. It could lead to a breakdown of global supply chains and a loss of crops, resulting in famine in many parts of the world. A study led by researchers at Penn State University, published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, emphasized that whether a nuclear war is regional or global, its impacts would be significant enough to plunge the planet into darkness and create catastrophic famine. According to a report from Firstpost, this study is especially important at a time of rising geopolitical instability and nuclear weapons taking on new prominence in global geopolitics. The study provides a detailed model for how a nuclear war could impact global agriculture. The study explores how the expulsion of soot from a nuclear war would block sunlight on Earth, disrupting various climatic systems, which would then produce disastrous effects for food production across the world. At the core of this study is the assumption that nuclear firestorms, in particular, those started in burning cities and industrial areas, would inject enormous concentrations of soot into the atmosphere. The soot would spread throughout the atmosphere globally. Thus, it will be a major blocking layer (essentially a dark haze) at the upper bounds of the troposphere, preventing any sunlight from penetrating the Earth's surface. Such a blocking layer could persist for a number of years. This will lead to dropping temperatures. changing weather patterns, and potentially eliminating food security for a vast portion of the world. In the event of a large nuclear conflict, such as one between Russia and the United States, the amount of light hitting Earth's surface could decrease so drastically that worldwide corn production would drop by as much as 80 percent, according to Firstpost. Such a colossal collapse in agricultural output would destroy food security for much of the planet, leading to famine and instability on a global level. To assess what the potential impacts might be, the team used a model called the Cycles agroecosystem model, a sophisticated simulation of agriculture developed at Penn State University. This model integrates climate-specific daily weather, soil chemistry, crop growth, and the movement of nitrogen and carbon to predict how crops would react to different combinations of climate and agricultural practices. For this study, the model was calibrated specifically for nuclear winter – with a diminished sunlight exposure, lower global temperature, and increased exposure to harmful UV-B radiation from ozone layer depletion. When would agriculture begin to recover—if at all? 'Using maize (Zea maize L.) as a sentinel crop, we found that annual maize production could decline from 7% after a small-scale regional nuclear war with 5 Tg soot injection, to 80% after a global nuclear war with 150 Tg soot injection, with recovery taking from 7 to 12 years. UV-B damage would peak 6–8 years post-war and can further decrease annual maize production by 7%. Over the recovery period, adaptive selection of maize maturity types to track changing temperatures could increase production by 10% compared to a no-adaptation strategy,' reads the statement in the abstract section of the study. The researchers applied the model to follow the effects over ten years, specifically to witness how maize (corn), being one of the world's most important staple food crops, would respond to the extreme and stressful conditions. The researchers analyzed six hypothetical nuclear war scenarios, and one of the more horrifying findings was that recovery of global food systems could take longer than a decade after the conflict. In essence, once a nuclear war happens, the fallout from it will last for decades. The unequivocal conclusion from the study is that a nuclear war would involve far more than military or political disaster. It would cause an ecological and humanitarian collapse. A nuclear war of any scale would create a famine across the world, with consequences that could adversely affect the future of mankind for centuries to come. Researchers analyzed six possible nuclear war scenarios corresponding to the amount of soot injected into the atmosphere. The soot injections ranged from 5 teragrams (Tg) representing a regional conflict between India and Pakistan, to a full-scale nuclear war between the U.S. and Russia with soot injections of 150–165 Tg. What happens to crops if sunlight disappears? The differences are stark: the global war scenario would inject 30 to 33 times more soot than the regional one with far worse global cooling, extreme reductions in sunlight, and widespread crop failures of historic proportions. What is nuclear winter, and why is it dangerous? Probably the most astonishing aspect is how long the effects of nuclear winter would last. It is also important to note that it is not a normal incident or a transitory natural disaster in which agriculture might recover quickly. Recovery after a nuclear war will take almost a decade or longer to go back to productive agricultural conditions. The destruction occurs from the first years and after, and indeed there is still considerable and persistent damage at year 12. As such, food systems would not have time to stabilize or recover during this 'prolonged onslaught of destruction. This study shows that adaptation strategies like dynamic tailoring of maize maturity types can improve food production by 10% over a 13 year recovery period compared with static approaches under a global nuclear war scenario,' reads the statement in the conclusion section of the study.
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First Post
5 days ago
- Science
- First Post
What happens if nuclear war strikes? Sun blocked, crops fail, famine unleashed
With nuclear war making it to geopolitical debates, a major new study warns that even a limited atomic conflict could trigger global food security and plunge the Earth into darkness for days read more It was just a coincidence that new research on how a nuclear winter could devastate agriculture appeared around the same time The New York Times published a recent review serving as a timely reminder to read Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen, a gripping and sobering non-fiction narrative published last March that imagines, in minute-by-minute detail, what could happen if a nuclear missile were launched at the United States. Based entirely on real-world protocols, interviews with military and civilian experts and declassified documents, the author argues that nuclear deterrence is an illusion sustained by dangerous assumptions that technology is infallible, that decisions can be made perfectly under pressure and that all actors will behave rationally. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Through this realistic yet terrifying scenario, she urges readers and policymakers to recognise how little time stands between peace and unthinkable devastation and to reconsider the policies that make nuclear war possible with just one miscalculation. At its core, her book is a warning. And the new scientific study published in Environmental Research Letters by researchers at Penn State University too delivers a chilling warning: a nuclear war — whether regional or global — could plunge the planet into darkness, collapse food systems and unleash unprecedented global famine. As geopolitical conflicts intensify and nuclear sabre-rattling returns to the global stage, this research takes on urgent significance. It presents the most comprehensive modelling to date of how nuclear war could impact global agriculture by simulating how firestorm-generated soot would block sunlight, disrupt climate systems and devastate crop production. Soot, smoke and a shroud over the Earth At the core of the study is the projection that soot from nuclear firestorms, particularly from burning cities and industrial areas, would be lofted into the stratosphere, forming a sun-blocking layer that could linger for years. In the case of a large-scale nuclear conflict, such as one between the United States and Russia, sunlight reaching Earth's surface could decline so sharply that global corn yields would plummet by as much as 80 per cent. That level of collapse would obliterate food security for much of the world. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Should we trust this study? To understand how bad the effects could be, the researchers used a tool called the Cycles agroecosystem model. This is an advanced farming simulation developed at Penn State. It uses daily weather data, soil chemistry, how plants grow and how carbon and nitrogen interact to predict how crops will respond to different farming methods and climate conditions. For this study, the model was adjusted to show what would happen during a nuclear winter—a time with less sunlight, colder global temperatures and more harmful UV-B rays due to damage to the ozone layer. The researchers ran the model over ten years to see how maize (corn), one of the world's main crops, would do under these extreme conditions. What all could happen in nuclear wars The researchers examined six potential nuclear war scenarios, each modelled according to the amount of soot that would be released. These ranged from a 5-teragram (Tg) soot injection—representative of a regional India-Pakistan conflict—to a 150–165 Tg scenario, representing a full-scale US-Russia nuclear exchange. The difference is vast: the global war scenario would inject 30 to 33 times more soot than the regional conflict, drastically intensifying global cooling and crop failures. Food may become scarce Even in the smallest modelled scenario, where about 5 Tg of soot is introduced into the atmosphere, the results are alarming. Corn yields decline globally by approximately 7 per cent, enough to strain food supply chains and cause spikes in food prices, especially in vulnerable countries with high import dependence. The regional war scenario would still block 20 to 35 per cent of incoming sunlight and reduce global surface temperatures by 2°C to 5°C — enough to disrupt climate systems such as the South Asian monsoon, with serious consequences for rice and wheat harvests. Under the full-scale global nuclear war scenario, however, the damage becomes existential. With 150–165 Tg of soot darkening the skies, the study predicts a catastrophic 80 per cent global decline in corn production. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This would not be a temporary setback. Nuclear winter conditions would persist for seven to twelve years, with global temperatures plunging and crop-growing seasons shortened to the point where staple crops could not mature. The sun would be blocked to such a degree that most agricultural regions would become temporarily unviable. It could be a perfect storm The Cycles model simulated not only cooling and sunlight reduction but also the intensification of UV-B radiation, due to ozone layer destruction from soot-induced atmospheric changes. UV-B is known to damage plant tissues and impair growth. In the scenarios studied, UV-B peaks six to eight years after detonation, during which time even recovering climate conditions would be undermined by elevated radiation. This further reduces potential yields and delays the recovery of agricultural systems. Why this all matters While the seven per cent drop in corn under the India-Pakistan war model may appear modest, the global food system is tightly interconnected. A shortfall in one region — particularly in maize, wheat or rice — can ripple across continents through disrupted trade networks, hoarding, price inflation and access inequality. In the regional scenario, billions could face hunger, especially in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The 80 per cent yield loss in the full global war model, however, represents nothing short of a planetary food collapse. If other staple crops like wheat, rice and soybeans experience similar declines (as past nuclear winter studies suggest), widespread famine would become nearly inevitable. Such an outcome would overwhelm international aid systems, incite civil unrest and result in deaths numbering in the hundreds of millions, if not billions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Seven to 12 years of darkness and hunger One of the most startling findings is the duration of the nuclear winter effects. Unlike a temporary natural disaster, the recovery of agricultural conditions after a nuclear war would take close to a decade — or more. The damage peaks in the early years but remains significant through year 12, meaning food systems would not have time to stabilise or self-correct. Recovery is not linear and the compound stresses of sunlight loss, UV-B radiation and global trade breakdown would delay return to normalcy. How we can survive The study also explores adaptation strategies that could provide some degree of protection. One approach is the use of short-season crop varieties, particularly maize types that mature quickly and are less dependent on long, warm growing seasons. Adjusting planting calendars, improving nutrient management and selecting crop types more tolerant of cold and UV-B radiation are other possibilities. In model simulations, such adaptive measures resulted in up to 10 per cent higher yields compared to non-adaptive scenarios, especially in the post-peak years of the nuclear winter. However, these adaptations face significant real-world barriers. Most notably, access to seeds of shorter-maturity crops and the infrastructure to distribute them would likely be disrupted in a post-nuclear world. Recognising this, the study recommends the creation of 'agricultural resilience kits' which means pre-stocked packages of adaptive seeds, tools and guidance tailored for different regions. These kits could be distributed preemptively or stored for rapid deployment after a disaster, providing a lifeline to struggling farming communities. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Maybe, it's time for real action The conclusion of the study is unequivocal. A nuclear war would be far more than a military or political catastrophe. It would be an ecological and humanitarian collapse. Even a limited regional exchange could trigger dangerous global agricultural shocks. A full-scale nuclear conflict would bring about a planetary famine, with long-term consequences for civilisation itself. The Penn State researchers emphasise the importance of preparedness and diplomacy, noting that the current level of planning for such a scenario is vastly inadequate. This study deepens our understanding of the far-reaching impacts of nuclear weapons not just in terms of immediate loss of life, but through the slow, cruel scenario of starvation and ecological collapse. It serves as a scientific imperative to reduce the risk of nuclear war and to invest in climate-resilient agricultural systems that can withstand global-scale disruptions. People refer to Hiroshima or Nagasaki as nuclear catastrophe in wars. But that happened 80 years ago. Nuclear technology has vastly improved, and bombs become a thousand times more powerful. While some intensify nuclear sabre-rattling, the rest of the world hopes that sanity prevails as geopolitical games look increasingly chaotic.
News18
23-07-2025
- Health
- News18
Pecans And Diabetes: How This Nut Helps Manage Blood Sugar Levels Naturally
Last Updated: Pecans are emerging as a powerful ally in diabetes management thanks to their low glycaemic index, rich nutrient profile, and ability to support blood sugar control naturally. When it comes to diabetes, diet plays a crucial role. While nuts are often recommended as a diabetic-friendly snack, pecans stand out for their numerous health benefits. These buttery nuts are high in protein, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. Additionally, pecans help lower blood sugar and support heart health. Kavita Devgan, Certified Nutritionist, American Pecans, shares all you need to know: What Are Pecans? Pecans are tree nuts known for their buttery flavour and smooth texture. Their rich, nutty taste and mild sweetness make them a versatile ingredient across various cuisines. Nutritional Value of Pecans Compared to other tree nuts, pecans have a substantially lower carbohydrate content—just 4 grams per serving (about 19 halves). They are a filling, nutrient-dense snack that offers 3 grams of fibre and 3 grams of plant-based protein per serving. Pecans also provide 11% of the recommended daily fibre intake, which supports better blood sugar control, satiety, and digestive health. The Glycaemic Index (GI) measures how quickly foods raise blood sugar levels. Pecans have an extremely low GI, meaning they rarely cause blood sugar spikes. Their fibre, protein, and healthy fats slow digestion, allowing glucose to enter the bloodstream gradually. This helps prevent sudden fluctuations in blood sugar—a major concern for people with diabetes. ● Improve Insulin Sensitivity: Pecans are rich in magnesium, a mineral essential for insulin function. Magnesium deficiency is often linked to insulin resistance. A small handful of pecans can help meet your daily magnesium needs and improve glucose metabolism. ● Reduce Inflammation: Pecans are packed with antioxidants like polyphenols and vitamin E, which help combat inflammation and oxidative stress—two key factors in the development of diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis. ● Aid in Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight is critical for managing type 2 diabetes. Despite being calorie-dense, pecans promote satiety due to their fibre, protein, and fat content. This helps reduce overeating and manage cravings. ● Help Regulate Blood Sugar Levels: The unique combination of protein, fibre, and healthy fats in pecans slows down sugar absorption, preventing blood sugar spikes and ensuring more stable energy levels throughout the day. Additional Health Benefits for Diabetics A landmark study by Penn State University, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (March 2025), found that replacing common snack foods with pecans can significantly lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and improve overall diet quality. The study was funded by the American Pecan Council. How to Include Pecans in Your Diet Moderation is key: Pecans are high in calories, so aim for about 1 ounce (15–20 halves) per day. Add chopped pecans to salads, sautéed vegetables, or stir-fries for extra texture and flavour. Pair pecans with berries, leafy greens, or lean proteins to create balanced meals that help regulate blood sugar. When eaten with carbohydrate-rich foods (like apples, oatmeal, popcorn, or yogurt), pecans can blunt blood sugar spikes. Things to Keep in Mind Pecans have a low glycaemic index, meaning they don't significantly affect blood sugar levels when consumed in moderation. They're a smart addition to a diabetic-friendly diet—as long as you choose the natural, unsweetened variety. Avoid flavoured or sugar-coated nuts. Opt for high-quality American Pecans—they're more than just a snack when enjoyed mindfully. The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 23, 2025, 07:26 IST News lifestyle » health-and-fitness Pecans And Diabetes: How This Nut Helps Manage Blood Sugar Levels Naturally Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
